This is a car that feels like it was developed on largely dry and smooth European roads, for in such unchallenging conditions the Ghibli handles well. The steering is not exactly flooded with feel, but it does feel natural and consistent, and it’s accurate and linear in its responses.
Meantime, even on standard passive suspension, the Ghibli’s body movements are controlled fluently. Grip is such that you’re never going to accidentally overwhelm it with the torque of the available engines.
The handling feels taut, sporting and directly in line with what you might hope for and expect in a Maserati saloon. Fun and poised, then, and in this idealistic arena the Ghibli puts clear air between itself and the class average.
But the Ghibli is far less sure of itself in less optimal environments. In the wet it feels too stiffly suspended at the back, and you’ll never notice that more than when accelerating left or right away from a damp junction.
There’s no great harm done, but the Ghibli doesn’t quite do its sibling Ferraris much credit on the track. But neither does it need to. We’d happily take the car as it is, rather than have Modena add sporting purpose at the expense of on-road ride compliance and everyday habitability.
However, that leaves the Ghibli a way off the limit handling standards set by the best sports saloons. It corners flat, it’s grippy and communicative and it’s quite well balanced.
